G/TFA/N/BDI/2  
5 March  2021 
(21-1850) Page: 1/7 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original:  French  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF ARRANGEMENTS AND PROGRESS IN THE PROVISION  
OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT  
FOR CATEGORY C DESIGNATIONS  
COMMUNICATION FROM BURUNDI  
The following  communication, dat ed 22 February  2021, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Burundi . 
 
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Burundi  hereby notifies information on the arrangements concluded and progress made in the 
provision of technical assistance and capacity building support for the followin g category  C 
designations, in accordance with Article  16 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement . 
Provisio n Heading /Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1.1  Publication  C 31 December 2 023 31 December 2 026 
Donors : European Union , International Trade Centre (ITC) , Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa 
(COMESA ) 
To be determined  for certain other publication -related needs  
Progress made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
All adopted legislation is published on the Government's website . The country regularly publishes information 
on the websites of the Burundi Revenue Office ( OBR), the Minist ry of Justice and the Ministry responsible for 
trade . The information is published in a non -discriminatory manner . 
A trade information portal is currently being set up under  the regional EU -EAC-MARKUP project financed by the 
European Union . The ITC is responsible for its implementation . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Establishment of a legal and organizational framework to supervise the maintenance of information  
- Establishment of  a single office responsible for collecting, centralizing and disseminating trade -related 
information  
- Training of staff from the above -mentioned office on information and communication  
- Translation of legislation published in Kirundi, French and English  
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1.2  Information Available through 
Internet  C 31 December 2 023 31 December 2 028 
Donors : United Nations Conference on Trade and Development  (UNCTAD) , TradeMark East Africa ( TMEA ), 
World Bank  
Progress made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
Trade information is published on the websites of sectoral Ministries, the OBR  and the  Burundi Investment 
Agency (API).  
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Recruitment of a consultant to develop training material and provide training for staff responsible for 
collecting, processing and publishing information  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  C 31 December 2 022 31 December 2 027 
Donors : UNCTAD , TMEA  
Progress  made  in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
There is no single enquiry point providing  information on regulations, fees, procedures and formalities  
currently applied in Burundi . Each agency has an information service for its area of competence.  
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Establishment of a single enquiry point  
- Provision of equipment and training for staff from the enquiry point  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 3  Advanced Rulings  C 31 December 2 021 31 December 2 027 
Donors : To be determined  
Progress made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
There are no official regulations on advanced rulings . In practice, a user may request information from 
customs officials and receive an oral or email response . Within the OBR, a specialized service known as the 
Directorate for Customs Services and E -Busin ess handles all matters relating to trade operations and informs 
traders of the current rules . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Creation of a service responsible for advance rulings at the OBR, in order to improve the implementation of 
advance rulings  
- Training of staff and adoption of international best practices, with a view to building institutional capacity in 
the area of valuation and rules of origin  
- Establishment of a legal framework for advance rulings  
- Imple mentation of mechanisms and procedures for rulings aligned with East African Community (EAC) and 
TFA legislation  
 G/TFA/N/BDI/2  
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 5.1  Notification for Enhanced 
Controls or Inspections  C 31 December 2 022 31 December 2 027 
Donors : To be determined  
Progress made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
Importers or exporters are notified of the outcome  following verification . In cases where the goods are 
detained, importers are notified by means of the report on the seizure . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Recruitment of a consultant to conduct a study analysing the t ime required for verification so that delays 
may be reduced  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  C 31 December 2 024 31 December 2 029 
Donors : European Union , COMESA, World Bank  
Progress made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
This provision is partially implemented by the Burundi Bureau of Standards and Quality Control  (BBN) . BBN 
laboratories have recently been provided with high -quality infrastructure through the regional MARKUP project 
financed by the EU . However, it remains insufficient . 
A draft national quality policy law is currently being prepared and is pending adoption b y the Government . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Establishment of a legal framework for test procedures  
- Provision of sufficient equipment for the laboratories of the BBN, the Ministry of Agriculture, and transit 
centres  
- Creation of a system for the management of all laboratories responsible for tests  
- Capacity building for staff responsible for test procedures  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date fo r 
implementation  
Article 6.1  General Disciplines on Fees 
and Charges Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation 
and Exportation  C 31 December 2 023 31 December 2 028 
Donors : To be determined  
Progress made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
The country has a General Code  of Taxes and Duties , which covers  fees, exemptions, exonerations and 
declaration s. 
Traders are informed of fees and charges  imposed on importation and exportation . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Recruitment of a consultant to conduct a study assessing the impact of the harmonization of taxes at the 
regional and international level  
- Equipme nt of cross -border posts  
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees 
and Charges for Customs 
Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation 
and Exportation  C 31 December 2 023 31 December 2 026 
Donors : To be determined  
Progress  made  in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
The country has a General Code of Taxes and Duties . 
Traders are informed of fees and charges imposed on importation and exportation . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Recruitment of a consultant to conduct a study assessing the impact of the harmonization of taxes at the 
regional and international level  
- Equipment of cross -border posts  
- Organization of information campaigns when new import or export taxes or charges are introduced  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  C 31 December 2 022 31 December 2 027 
Donors : World Customs Organization  (WCO), UNCTAD , TMEA  
Progress made  in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
The OBR is implementing this provision by using the latest version of the Automated System for Customs Data 
(ASYCUDA ) World system, which allows for the automation of certain processes, including the registration and 
risk-based processing of declarations submitted remotely . 
The country has also  conduct ed a national study on the time required for the release of goods in Burundi , 
developed with support from the WCO . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Equipment of technical services  
- Establishment of a single window for foreign trade  
- Construction and computerization of one -stop offices at all border crossings for goods  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  C 31 December 2 023 31 December 2 028 
Donors : UNCTAD , COMESA  
Progress made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
The electronic payment process has been launched . FINBANK was selected as the pilot bank for making  
electronic payments . 
The country  does not yet have any regulations  that deal strictly with electronic payment s, but related laws do 
exist and such regulations are being prepared . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Establishment of a legal framework  
- Organization of workshops for economic operators on electronic payment  
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 31 December 2 024 31 December 2 029 
Donors : European Union , United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) , COMESA  
Progress made  in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
The country carries out risk management : Risk management is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines 
developed and distributed to customs agents . Over 80% of imports undergo physical inspection, yet  there is 
some  flexibility insofar as on-site clearance permitted in some cases . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Equipment of the OBR technical services  
- Training of staff responsible for risk management  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  C 31 December 2 024 31 December 2 029 
Donors : TMEA  
Progress made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
The country carries out post -clearance audits : Initiatives have been implemented . Technical assistance needs 
remain considerable, particularly with regard to training.  
Technical assistance and capacity building sup port needs include : 
- Equipment of the OBR technical services  
- Recruitment of a national consultant to train audit staff  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication 
of Average Release Times  C 31 December 2 022 31 December 2 027 
Donors : WCO 
Progress made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
The country has conduct ed a national study on the time required for the release of goods in Burundi . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Enhancement of the post -clearance audit mechanism  
- Organization of training and awareness -raising workshops for border  officials  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.9  Perishable Goods  C 31 December 2 024 31 December 2 029 
Donors : Enhanced Integrated Framework , TMEA  
Progress made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
The country has a n ASYCUDA World and Standard Integrated Government Tax Administration System  
(SIGTAS ) platform that facilitates immediate delivery of perishable goods . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Establishment of a cold storage facility and training of the staff concerned  
- Promotion of the methods for protecting pe rishable goods  
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  C 31 December 2 024 31 December 2 029 
Donors : TMEA, UNCTAD  
Progress made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
There is strong cooperation among border agencies . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Strengthening of border agency cooperation  
- Renovation , construction and equipment of customs offices at all borders  
- Enhancement of the collection and processing of statistical data, in order to prepare a computerized database 
on all of the country's borders  
- Monitoring and regular outreach to speed up the m ovement of goods  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.1  Formalities and 
Documentation Requirements  C 31 December 2 022 31 December 2 027 
Donors : To be determined  
Progress  made  in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
The country has partially implemented the measure relating to the formalities and documentation 
requirements . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Organization of awareness -raising workshops for economic operators on the importance of the required 
documentation  
- Training of staff 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.3  Use of International 
Standards  C 31 December 2 022 31 December 2 027 
Donors : To be determined  
Progress made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
The country has established the BBN,  which requires capacity building and the provision of equipment for  
laboratories.  
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Equipment of the  BBN 
- Training of staff 
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.4  Single Window  C 31 December 2 024 31 December 2 029 
Donors : TMEA, UNCTAD  
Progress made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
Initiatives  for the  establishment  of the single window have been launched with support from UNCTAD . 
The country has one -stop border post s at Kobero/Kabanga, Gasenyi/Nemba and Ruhwa and is seeking to 
ensure the interconnectivity o f other border posts so as to reduce the time required for formalities for the 
import and export of products . 
Technical assistance and capacity building support needs include : 
- Establishment  of the single window, providing it with the means to reduce the time required for formalities 
for the import and export of products  
- Capacity building for staff responsible for running the single window once implemented  
- Provision of IT equipment for border post offices  
- Ensuring interconnectivity among c ross-border posts through broadband internet  
- Construction of one -stop offices at all borders  
- Ongoing training of staff  
 
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